Grandma Henke

One of my favorite past times is to find myself a comfortable, obtuse place to sit  and watch people.   It’s a hobby … like bird watching only I don’t use binoculars.  (That’s called peeping and is usually done by a person named Tom.)    To a non people watcher it probably sounds perverted … but it’s innocent enough.    It’s merely observing the variety of people, their fashions, the way the interact with other people and their mannerism. It’s relaxing.  I find it’s easier to do if I can wear my sunglasses.      The food courts at the mall or a bench in a crowded park by the beach are more fascinating to me than the various species of animals housed in their man made natural habitats at the zoo (which is also another fun place to watch people.)

For someone like me, with an active imagination, it is very entertaining to sit back and conjure up a best guess as to who they are, where they came from, what they do for a living, if they are happy with their station in life.   I am often uplifted by acts of kindness and courtesy.   I get a good laugh at the parent who is trying to control busy little uncontrollable children.   I am touched by the love I can sense from small gestures and looks that pass between two people.     Sometimes I’m disgusted by vulgar vocabulary or actions … fascinated at people who choose to dress in unusually extreme ways.    Do they feel attractive in wild, green hair and multiple piercing’s?    What is comfortable about having pants belted around the bottom of their bottom?   Why do people put up with the awkwardness of platform shoes and stiletto heels when they are out shopping?    What does everyone do on the other days of their lives?

It’s pleasant to watch someone who is at peace with who they are … someone who isn’t trying to impress those around them … someone who’s objective isn’t to stand out in the crowd.     I learn from them.

I appreciate the wisdom of the mother who talks quietly to her children when they need disciplined instead of the mother who is constantly raising her voice and disciplining from afar.   I especially hate to watch children suffer the embarrassment of public tongue lashings and name callings … most of them, however, are so used to being screamed at the words go in one ear and out the other without registering what is said … but tucking away the negative reinforcement to their self esteem.   I so want to intervene when that happens! 

Sales people are entertaining people to observe; especially high powered ones who work for commission.   It’s fun to watch how they pick their prey and go into their animated, personal routines.   It is also fun to watch who is snared and who gets away.

Eccentric people seem to want to be watched and put on a good show to attract a bigger audience.   

Some of the older people (those who are older than me) have a natural slowness to their movements and a learned wisdom that tells me to slow down and enjoy the moments.     Some older people are crotchety and gruff.    Others find humor in everything that happens and I appreciate when I can share their fun. 

Because I worked for twenty-five years for people with cognitive disabilities I find myself drawn to them and it pleases me to see how they now fit into the main stream society and are able to enjoy the normal pleasures of life.    I get a warm tingling when people go out of their way to be friendly and accepting.

I wonder …  who is watching me for entertainment.   

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